TALES OF THE AFRICAN CHILD SERIES 3 :CHILD MARRIAGE

Child marriage is a union between a grown man especially far older and an under aged girl;girls below the age of 18. Some of these girls go into those marriage from the age of 9 or 10 years once she stays having her monthly flow.


This early marriage poses a big threat to the human rights of the child involved,it denies them opportunity to grow and empower themselves. Their health is also at risk considering what might befall them in event of childbirth or even when the husband might force his way into her if she refuses to give in to his advances.
Girls from poor homes are likely to be married off early than girls from a wealthy household.he

At an age where a child should be basking in innocent games and gaining education, young girls are married off before they are mentally, physically and psychologically prepared for the responsibilities that a marriage brings. At times they are married to, and even sold off to men who are a lot older than these young girls. The young girls are neither capable of handling themselves nor the burden of marital responsibilities. Young girls are forced for merely to serve their husbands and in-laws and do not have a right to make any decisions or to have a normal social life.

The consequences of child marriage are just too numerous,from how it affects the girl psychologically,mentally and physically.

 Their education suffers, they are also prone to high domestic abuse, rape, higher risk of contracting STI's.
The risk of death is involved during child birth,the child mortality rate is high becausethe are still young.

VVF - Vesico Vaginal Fistulae : This is an abnormal fistolous tract extending between the bladder(vesico) and the vagina that allows the continuous involuntary discharge of urine into the vaginal vault, it usually occurs after child birth in some women; It can also be said to be a hole that develops between the vagina and the bladder.
12,000 women develop VVF in Nigeria alone every year,many girls between the ages of 11 to 15bbecome mothers in Nigeria after an early marriage to an older man. Various research have attributed early marriage to one of the causes of VVF and it is usually high in areas where early marriage is practised.

80% VVF cases are due to unrelieved labor during child birth (frequently in women under 18), their pelvis are not yet developed to go through the rigorous process of carrying a child,the stand greater chances of prolonged labor at that age(usually below 18 and worst below 16); This is also one of the causes of the high maternal mortality rates in some areas.

Allow the girl child more time to grow and mature,she deserves to have a right to decide on her reproductive and sexual life and also learn about child birth and motherhood

    LET CHILD MARRIAGE STOP,Let marriages of girls below 18 stop!***CHILDNOTBRIDE***